Chatham Township Zoning Board Strikes Down AT&T Cell Antenna Proposal 6-1

AT&T’s proposal to fit 12 antennas and five boxes to hold the equipment atop the 105-foot water tower near Buxton Road, Kincaid Lane and Huron Drive has been defeated following months of tension surrounding the proposal.

The Chatham Township Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 6-1 last Friday to nix the idea after hearing the pros and cons of the application the day before the vote, according to the Alternative Press.

Judy Fairweather, AT&Ts attorney, said she would return Sept. 18 with expert testimony on the project. It was argued previously that there was a gap in coverage in the area that could be remedied with the antennas, which many residents denied to be the case.

The board agreed that implementation of the equipment would create “significant change” to the American Water Tower.

“I don’t think putting something like that in one of the premier neighborhoods in Chatham is the right thing to do,” Board chairman Tony Vivona said.

Those who voted against the tower were Vivona, Jon Weston, Thomas Polise, Kathryn Kenny, William Styple and Tina Romano. Glen Nelson was the dissenting vote, with Richard Williams recusing himself from the vote.

Image via Shutterstock.